Picker-operating device.



J. F. MAOWILLIAM- PIOKER OPERATING DEVIGE.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 9, 1910.

Patented Sept. 10, 1912.

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' 'PICKERFOPERATIHG DEVICE. I

. Application filed November 9, 1910. Serial No. 591,418.

Specification of Letters Patent. 'Pa,

tented-Sept. 10,1912.

To. all it may concern: v 5

Be it known that I, JAMES F. MAGWIL- LIAM, a citizen of the UnitedStates, resid ing at Hubbardston," in the county of Worcester and Stateof Massachusetts, have invented a new and. useful Picker-OperatingDevice, of which the following is a specification.

This invention-relatesto connections for operatin the picker of a loom.

As or inarily constructed, looms are pro vided with picker stick strapsand power straps which are made chiefly of leather and on a heavy loomwill last only a few. months. The sweep stick also is generally made ofwood and is comparatively short lived. The

picker stick sometimes cracks and on ac-- count of the holes that haveto be bored through it. for the attachment of the present connections,is weakened considerably so that the cracks follow from one perforationto another. In this way the present connections in addition to beingweak thus also weaken the picker stick.

The principal objects of this invention are to provide a practicable andefficient means of a comparatively simple form for connecting the sweepstick with the picker stick in such a way that there shall be no holesbored through the latter, and in addition thereto to provide aconnectingclamp of such form that the picker stick itself shall be strengthened atthe points at which the sweep stick connect-ions are applied to it; alsoto provide a construction which can readily be adjustedup and down. thepicker stick without disengaging the parts therefrom; also to provide animproved form of universal joint for connecting the sweep stick andpicker-stick, and an improved connection between that joint 'and thesweep stick itself.

Another object of the invention is to provide a construction which canbe used with a wooden sweep stick.

Further objects and advantages of the invent-ion will appearhereinafter.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1is a' side view of a picker-stick and sweep arm and connections betweenthe same in accordance with this invention. Fig. 2 is a detail view ofone of the elements thereof. Fig.- 3-:is aview similar to Fig. 1

swee showing a modification, and isa plan thereof.

In the form shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the

picker-stick 10 is connected witha rocking operating or sweep arm 11 bymeans of a wooden sweep stick 12, connected with the woo en sweep stickis provided with a metallic cap 14 on the end opposite that which isconnected with the sweep arm having side and end flanges fitting the endof the sweep stick very closely so as to prevent the splitting thereof.The end of this cap is perforated .and through it passes a rod 15.This-rod extendslengthwise into the sweep stick and is screw threaded.The screwthreaded end of the rod passesinto a nut 16 which is insertedin a hole in the sweep stick. This nut receives the screw-threaded rod15 and affords a strong and practicable means for holding the rod in thesweep stick. The rod is provlded with fiat surfaces 17 by which it maybe turned up in-the nut and has a spherical head 18. This head fits in asphericalsocket in a boss 19 on a plate 20. This plate is provided withupper and lower ears 21 depressed at the point at which they areconnected with the boss and'around these cars extend oval links 28.These links are connected with plates 29 having integral nuts 30*thereonfor receiving an adjusting screw 31, thus forming a metallic lug strap.In this case, however, the nuts 30 are provided with saddle likedepressed outer surfaces 32 for receiving the links so that the linksbear on the center of each plate 29 thus aifording a more eilicientconstruction. In this form of the invention it will be seen that thejoint bearm by a pin or the like'13. This the rounded ends of turningthe rod 15, and that the rod is firmly V v held in position on the sweepstick; also that the latter is well protected against splitting. It willbe seen that the two links diverge -from each other as they pass acrossthe picker stick from'the plate 20. Therefore, the turning of ,the screwin one direction will force the two plates 29 away from each other andcause the two links to diverge still farther. This causes the plate 20and the two opposite plates to be gripped firmly on the opposite edgesof the picker stick.

I edges.

It will be noticed that these two plates are smooth on their bearingedges while the plate 20 is roughened or knurled so that once havingbeen set in position, the plate remains fixed. Upon adjusting the twoplates outwardly, the whole device is securely clamped to the pickerstick and in addition, the latter is efiectively secured againstcracking, because it is so firmly clamped between the plates at oppositeIn addition to this, it is clamped in two diiferent direct-ions at anangle to each other and at a material distance apart.

It will be seen that for adjusting the parts up and down it is onlynecessary to loosen the screw sufliciently to permit the plates ,to beraised or lowered and that they can be clamped with equal effectivenessin a new position, all without the use of any tools except a spanner orlarge nail. It will also be-seen that there is no lost motion, and thatthe power strap is dispensed with. The device is made in different sizesand forms to accommodate ditferent looms. Jn the form of the inventionshown in Figs. 3 and 4, the sweep stick 42 may be of the sameconstruction as the sweep stick 12, but it is shown as having onopposite edges two plates 43 secured to it by bolts 44 passing throughit. These plates are connected by integral metallic members 45integrally with a spherical head 46. This head is located in a sphericalsocket formed in a boss 47 on a plate 48,.and a cap 49 secured theretoin any desired way. In the present instance the plate 48 is held againstthe picker stick by means of an adjusting screw 50 which engages the cap49 and holds it firmly in position. This screw passes through a screwthreaded passage in a plate 51. This plate is held to the picker stickby a pair of links 52 which connect it with a plate 53 on the other edgeof the picker stick. Some of the advantages referred to above are alsoobtained by this construction.

It is-within the scope of this invention to reverse the relativepositions of lug strap and picker stick. This can be done very simply inthe form shown in Figs. 3 and 4, by. transposing the plates 47 51. and53 each to the other side of the picker stick. In that case the loop 43would have to be long enough to extend across the picker stick.

While I have illustrated and described two preferred embodiments of theinvention, I am aware that modifications can be made therein by anyperson skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the1nvention as expressed in the'clalms' Therefore I do not wish to belimited to all the details of construction herein shown, but

What I do claim is 1. The combination of a pair of links for surroundina picker stick, means for adjustably fixing the links to the pickerstick,

' a sweep stick, and a ball and socket joint for connecting the linkswith the sweep stick.

2. The combination of a pair of links adapted to surround a pickerstick, a screw for adjustably clamping them to the picker stick, a sweepstick, and a ball and socket joint for connecting the links with thesweep stick.

3. As an article of manufacture, a lug strap for a picker-stickcomprising a plate adapted to be located on one edge of the pickerstick, two plates adapted to be located on the other edge, each havingprojecting centrally therefrom, a boss, having screw threads andconstituting a nut, the outer surface of said bosses being depressed, ascrew entering said nuts for adjusting said plates toward and from eachother, and two links adapted to surround the picker stick and eachengaging the depressed por tions of said bosses.

4 In a loom, the combination with a picker stick, and a rockingoperating arm therefor, of a metallic lug strap fixed on the pickerstick, movable means for connecting the metallic lug strap with saidarm, means whereby the lug strap can be tightened or loosened and movedalong the picker stick, a ball and socketjoint connected with the lugstrap, and means for adj ustably connecting the universal joint with therocking arm.

5. In a loom, the combination with a picker stick, and a rocking arm foroperating it, of a metallic adjustable lu strap fixed on the pickerstick, a sweep stick piv-' oted to the operating arm, a ball and socketon the lug strap at the edge of the picker stick, and means foradjustably connecting said joint and sweep stick.

6. In a loom, the combination with a picker stick and a rockingoperating arm therefor, of a lug strap fixed tightly to the pickerstick, an operatlng arm, a sweep stick pivoted at one end to theoperating arm, and means for adjustably connecting the lug strap withthe other end of the sweep stick.

7. The combination of a pair of links adapted to surround apicker-stick, a screw for tightening said links on the ickerstick, aplate connected with said lin s and adapted to be clamped therebyagainst the edge of the picker-stick, said plate having a sphericalsocket therein, a member having a spherical head fitting in said socketand projectingtherefrom, and a sweep arm connected with said means.

8. The combination of a pair of links adapted to surround apicker-stick, a screw for tightening said links on the picker-stick, aplate connected with said links and adapted to be clamped therebyagainst the edge of the picker-stick, said plate having a sphericalsocket therein, a member having a spherical head fitting in said socket,said member having a rod projecting therefrom provided with a screwthread, asweep arm into the end of which the screw threaded rodprojects, and a nut extending into the sweep arm at a distance from theend and having,

a screw-threaded passage for said rod.

9. The combination of a pair of links adapted to surround apicker-stick, a screw for tightening said links on the picker-stick, aplate connected with said links and adapted to be clamped therebyagainst the edge provided with a screw thread, a sweep arm into the endof which the screw threaded rod projects, a nut extending into the sweeparm at a distance from the end and having a screw-threaded passage forsaid rod, and a metallic cap on the end of the sweep arm through whichsaid rod passes for preventing the splitting of the sweep arm.

10. In a loom, the combination with a picker stick and a rockingoperating arm therefor, of a lug strap fixed tightly to the pitkerstick, a sweep stick pivoted on the operating arm, a rod connected withthesweep stick and having a screw-thread, the screw-threaded part of therod extending into the end of the sweep stick, an adjusting nut on thesweep stick for receiving and holding the rod with respect to the sweepstick, whereby the rod is firmly fixed on the sweep stick, and a pivotedconnection at the other end of the rod for connecting it to the lugstrap. a

11. The combination of a pair of links adapted to surround a pickerstick, a screw for tightening said links on the picker stick, a plateconnected with said links and ada ted to be clamped thereby against thee ge cated on the other" edge, two links connect-1 ing the last namedplates with the first named plate, and means for adjusting the twoplates toward and from each other.

1 3. In a lug strap for looms, the combination of two links adapted tobe located on the picker stick and pivoted at one edge thereof, saidlinks diverging from the points at which they are pivoted across thepicker stick, means for connecting said links at their converging ends,and means for moving the opposite ends of the links toward and from eachother.

14. In a lug strap for looms, the combination of two links adapted to belocated on the picker stick, pivoted at one edge thereof,

and diverging therefrom across the picker stick, means for connectingthe converging ends of the links, two plates adapted to receive theother ends of the links, each hav ing a nut thereon, one right-handedand the other -left-handed, and a right and left hand screw locatedbetween and projecting into said nuts for adjusting them.

15. In a device of the character described,

the combination with a picker stick, of a plate located on one edgethereof and having a roughened surface for engaging the picker stick andprovided with sockets near its upper and lower edges, links pivoted insaid sockets and extending across the picker stick and diverging fromeach other, a pair of plates located on the opposite edge of the pickerstick and project ng under the links, said plates being provided with riht and left hand fixed nuts in alinement, an a right and left hand screwengaging said nuts for adjusting the plates back and forth andtightening and loosening the links.

16. In a lug strap for looms, the combination of two links adapted to belocated on the picker stick pivoted at one ed thereof and divergingtherefrom across t e picker stick, means for moving the opposite ends ofthe links toward and from each other, a plate adapted to be mounted onone ed e of the picker stick for receiving the en s of said links, auniversal joint connected with said plate, a rocking operating arm, andmeans for connecting the' universal joint with said operating arm.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set .my hand, in the presenceof twosubscribing

